In this review, we will be comparing PC13-Ultra and R-100SW, two Powered Subwoofer speakers from SVS and Klipsch. Being Powered subwoofers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them. Let's have a brief look at the main features of SVS PC13-Ultra and Klipsch R-100SW first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Both SVS PC13-Ultraand Klipsch R-100SW have a single woofer setup however the SVS PC13-Ultra's woofer is 13.5-inch whereas the Klipsch R-100SW features a 10-inch woofer.
Frequency Response
PC13-Ultra has a frequency range of 15-200 Hz whereas R-100SW has a frequency range of 32-120 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 15Hz, the PC13-Ultra can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-100SW's min frequency of 32Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Cabinet Type
The SVS PC13-Ultra has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the Klipsch R-100SW have Bass reflex type enclosure.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare SVS PC13-Ultra's and Klipsch R-100SW's external dimensions. SVS PC13-Ultra has external dimensions of 1194.0 x 422.0 x 422.0mm (47 x 16-5/8 x 16-5/8inch) whereas Klipsch R-100SW has external dimensions of 372.0 x 320.0 x 459.0mm (14-5/8 x 12-9/16 x 18-1/16inch).
Klipsch R-100SW is 102mm narrower and 822mm shorter than SVS PC13-Ultra but it is also 37mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
SVS PC13-Ultra needs about 21% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-100SW is 37mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. SVS PC13-Ultra is 822mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the SVS PC13-Ultra is approximately 1780.8cm2 / 276.0inch2 and base area of the Klipsch R-100SW is approximately 1468.8cm2 / 227.7inch2. The PC13-Ultra requires 21% more surface area than the R-100SW which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The SVS PC13-Ultra weighs 40.80kg / 89.8lbs and the Klipsch R-100SW weighs 10.91kg / 24lbs. This makes the PC13-Ultra 274% heavier than the R-100SW.
Here is a comparison of how PC13-Ultra and R-100SW's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
 Woofer Size |
13.5 inches
vs
10 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
15 Hz
vs
32 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
120 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
372mm
vs
1194mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1468cm2
vs
1780cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
275USD
vs
1700USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
SVS PC13-Ultra needs about 21% more floor area. Klipsch R-100SW stands 37mm further into the room. SVS PC13-Ultra is 822mm taller.
| General |
SVS PC13-Ultra |
Klipsch R-100SW |
| Brand |
SVS |
Klipsch |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Subwoofer |
Powered Subwoofer |
| Max Amplifier Output |
1000 watts |
150 watts |
| Frequency Response |
15-200 Hz |
32-120 Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
1000-watt RMS |
150-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
3600-watt RMS |
300-watt RMS |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
13.5" |
10" |
| Woofer Composition |
Fiberglass composite |
Copper-spun IMG |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1194.0mm (47") |
372.0mm (14.6") |
| Width |
422.0mm (16.6") |
320.0mm (12.6") |
| Depth |
422.0mm (16.6") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Weight |
40.80kg (89.8lbs) |
10.91kg (24lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
2 Years |
Two quite different sizes of subwoofer. Room volume decides this more than anything else on the page: a big driver in a small room is wasted, and a small one in a large room is worked to death.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | SVS PC13-Ultra goes deeper - 15Hz against 32Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Amplifier power | A | SVS PC13-Ultra has the bigger amplifier - 1000W against 150W RMS, about 8.2dB more on tap. In a large room that is headroom before the DSP starts limiting. |
| Driver area | A | SVS PC13-Ultra moves more air: 13.5" against 10" is 1.82x the cone area, not the 1.35x the diameters suggest. More area means the same output with less excursion, and less distortion with it. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Klipsch R-100SW is about 74% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Warranty | A | SVS PC13-Ultra carries 5 years on parts against 2 years. A subwoofer amplifier works harder than anything else in the system, so this is not a throwaway line. |
| Price | B | Klipsch R-100SW costs less - $275 against $1,700, about 84% less. |
A SVS PC13-Ultra B Klipsch R-100SW
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: SVS PC13-Ultra measures better, Klipsch R-100SW costs about 84% less. In a normal room, placement will make a bigger difference than the gap between these two. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $275 each, two Klipsch R-100SW cost about $550 against $1,700 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Klipsch R-100SW is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.